The Heathland Fire Prevention Education Project, running from April 2026 to March 2028, will reach more than 3,000 young people and their families across Mansfield. The programme will deliver engaging education, creative activities, and community action focused on fire safety and protecting our precious heathlands.  

Heathlands are amongst the rarest habitats in the UK, they support unique wildlife and store carbon within their soils. Fires cause lasting damage to these fragile landscapes.    

The project aims to reduce both deliberate and accidental fires on priority heathland sites by:  

• Increasing awareness of heathlands, their ecological importance and the risks posed by fire  

• Encouraging positive behaviour change among young people and families  

• Strengthening relationships between schools, communities and emergency services  
• Supporting long-term conservation through volunteering and community engagement. 

Education is at the at the heart of prevention. ATTFE College will lead on programme design, partnership development and delivery, working closely with Sherwood Forest Trust, Nottinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service and Nottinghamshire Police to co‑produce innovative resources and learning opportunities for young people.  

Delivery will include:  

• Secondary school assemblies and workshops   

• Primary school sessions for Key Stage 2 pupils.  
• Youth co‑production workshops, enabling young people to create the project’s name, messages and creative digital resources such as videos, artwork and drama.  
• Curriculum‑linked visits to heathland sites, hands on conservation activities involving wildlife identification, litter picks, planting and heritage interpretation. 

Helen Sullivan, CEO of Sherwood Forest Trust, commented:  

“Our heathlands are a precious part of the historic forest, yet now so rare. Home to nightjars, common lizards and green tiger beetles, they also lock up carbon in their soils – so when they burn, they not only destroy wildlife habitat but release that carbon back into the atmosphere. 

We’re delighted to be working in partnership, bringing together Sherwood Forest Trust’s strengths in conservation with ATTFE’s expertise in education and community outreach, to empower young people and local communities with knowledge, creativity and a sense of ownership so this project can make a lasting difference to how these special places are protected.“ 

The project will extend beyond schools, engaging families and communities to get involved, delivering family learning sessions, school holiday activities, community events and volunteering opportunities to raise awareness and encourage shared responsibility for protecting heathlands.  

Digital and physical resources developed through the project will form a legacy, enabling Sherwood Forest Trust and partners to continue fire prevention education well beyond the project’s lifespan. 

Liz Barrett OBE DL, Principal of ATTFE College, said:  

“ATTFE College is beyond thrilled to be working in partnership with the Sherwood Forest Trust on the Heathland Fire Prevention Education Project. It aligns strongly with our commitment to locality and community and truly represents what it means to be #InThisTogether.” 

Strong partnerships and shared ambition will see Sherwood Forest Trust, the overall project sponsor and fund holder, provide the strategic oversight to ensure greatest impact with funding secured from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and local match funding from Mansfield Building Society.